The establishment of the regiment was augmented on the 12th of August, 1839, from 740 to 800 rank and file.
1840.
During the year 1840 the service companies were stationed at St. John’s, Lower Canada. The depôt companies proceeded from Stirling to Dundee, in April.
1841.
Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Reynell, Bart., K.C.B., was removed from the colonelcy of the Eighty-seventh Royal Irish Fusiliers to that of the Seventy-first, on the 15th of March, 1841, in succession to Lieut.-General Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham, K.C.B. and K.C.H., deceased.
In May, 1841, the depôt companies proceeded from Dundee to Aberdeen.
Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable Charles Grey exchanged to half-pay with Lieut.-Colonel James England, on the 8th of April, 1842.
1842.
The service companies proceeded from St. John’s to Montreal in two divisions, on the 27th and 28th of April, 1842.
In consequence of the augmentation which took place in the army at this period, the Seventy-first Highland Light Infantry was ordered to be divided into two battalions, the six service companies being termed the first battalion, and the depôt, augmented by two new companies, being styled the reserve battalion. The depôt was accordingly moved from Stirling to Chichester, and after receiving about 350 volunteers from other corps, was there organised into a battalion for foreign service. Nearly all these volunteers were English and Irish, who were allowed to join the regiment notwithstanding the protestations of the commanding officer, who requested that none but Scotchmen should be allowed to volunteer. The nationality of the regiment was thereby unnecessarily destroyed for many years.